Upper Silver Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Upper Silver Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 25 ft (taller than 83.2% in MI) |
| Dam Length | 475 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.1K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 126 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 880 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1964 (62 years old) |
| NID ID | MI00016 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Upper Silver Lake Improvement Assoc
Private
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Upper Silver Lake Dam?
Upper Silver Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Upper Silver Lake Dam?
Upper Silver Lake Dam is owned by Upper Silver Lake Improvement Assoc (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Upper Silver Lake Dam built?
Upper Silver Lake Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.
What is the primary purpose of Upper Silver Lake Dam?
Upper Silver Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Upper Silver Lake Dam?
Upper Silver Lake Dam has a dam height of 25 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.
When was Upper Silver Lake Dam last inspected?
Upper Silver Lake Dam was last inspected on November 23, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.